As our homes grow more high-tech, thieves have gotten faster and more interested in easy targets, like stealing packages according to our CNET surveys. Problems like those can pick up over summer, especially with events like Amazon Prime Day. Overall, a home burglary costs people around $2,660 on average for stolen or destroyed property. That’s a good reason to install security devices, but I wanted to go a step further.
In addition to seeing what criminals themselves had to say about breaking in, I spoke with James Lynch, professor and former chairman of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland.
“Professional burglars who have some skills will pick a target not just because it’s vulnerable, but also because it’s more likely to have the type of belongings that could easily be turned into cash,” Lynch told me, providing several valuable insights into how burglars behave.
Common ways burglars break into homes
Burglars are quick to take advantage of lazy security practices.
1. Looking for unlocked doors
While it may sound simple, the most common way burglars enter homes is through an unlocked door or window. This is according to a survey of 86 inmates convicted of burglary, conducted by KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon. Yes, most burglars will simply try doors and windows to see what opens, especially in the middle of the day when there aren’t many people around. For a burglar, it’s a fast and low-risk option that doesn’t require any planning, equipment or special skills.
When doors and windows were locked, burglars surveyed said they preferred kicking in the door as opposed to breaking a window. Kicking a door in makes less noise than broken glass and doesn’t pose a safety risk to the burglar.
2. Finding affluent homes
“If there’s evidence of affluence, where a burglar could get a good return on their investment, that type of home will attract burglars,” Lynch said. “But it depends on the burglar’s level of sophistication. Some will go around without much planning and try doors until they find one that’s open.”
While video doorbells may dissuade some thieves, you can’t always count on them being noticed.
3. Finding homes with cover
Some reports indicate single-family homes in the middle of the street are more likely to be broken into than homes on the corner. This may be because corner homes have greater visibility.
Conversely, in apartment buildings, Lynch pointed out that corner units with two sides of exposure have a greater likelihood of getting hit than units with only one side of exposure. It could be that more numerous entrances and exits in these buildings give burglars more places to hide or plan an escape.
Burglaries are largely crimes of opportunity, but many burglars will look for more affluent areas or homes.
4. Returning to the same house
Studies in the UK point to a pattern of repeat victimization. “If you were burglarized once, there’s a good chance you’ll be burglarized again within the next 10 days,” Lynch said. “There are two theories on this pattern. One is the burglars saw something they couldn’t take the first time, so they come back for it. The second is they’ve already found a way to gain entrance or get past your security, and they want to capitalize on that before you have a chance to repair your door or window.”
This pattern holds for near-repeat victimization. For instance, if the house next door gets burglarized, the probability of your house getting burglarized increases, according to Lynch.
“These patterns are consistent with burglary as an occupation,” Lynch said.
5. Watching the garage
In addition to doors and windows, burglars can access your home through your attached garage. People often leave the door from the house to the garage unlocked and may not be as diligent about securing garage windows and walk-in doors.
Read more: Your Guide to Calling 911: Helpful Tips When Reporting an Emergency
How you can stop home break-ins from happening to you
There are several steps you can take to protect your home, loved ones and belongings from burglars. But the most important step is to secure your doors and windows.
1. Locks
Smart locks help prevent common burglaries, but only if you use them.
As simple as locking doors and windows sounds, a survey by YouGov showed that 7% of Americans surveyed do not lock their doors when they go out, and 23% do not lock them when they’re home. People in the Northwest and Northeast regions of the US are most likely to leave their doors unlocked.
“If people would just lock their doors and windows, that would prevent a lot of burglaries,” Lynch said.
Another tip is to rekey your locks when you first move in: You don’t know who the previous owner gave keys to. By rekeying your locks, you can know and control who has access to your home.This can also give you the opportunity to improve the quality of your locks.
For even more security, consider installing secondary locks on your windows.
A track lock on vinyl or aluminum windows can prevent the window from freely moving up and down. And if you have an attached garage, be sure to lock the house door that accesses the garage.
Read also: The Best Smart Locks
2. Doors
Exterior doors should be solid enough that they’re difficult to kick open. They should not have windows that can be broken, giving a burglar access to the lock.Install peepholesat eye level on your front and back doors, and check them before opening your door to visitors.
3. Security systems
A full security system, when armed, can prove an excellent deterrent.
One of the best ways to deter burglars is with security cameras and home alarm systems. In the KGW survey, burglars said security cameras made them less likely to target a residence. They also said they would leave the property immediately if an alarm sounded.
As part of your security system, you may also want to install motion-activated lights. Having a well-lit exterior will help keep burglars away at night.
Read also: Best Home Security Cameras with Floodlights
“There is a high positive correlation between having a security system and preventing burglaries,” Lynch said. “If you don’t have a home security system and you’ve been burglarized, it would be worth investing in one so you don’t become a repeat victim.”
Home invasion FAQ
What is the best deterrent for home invasions?
Deterrents should be obvious, even at night. That’s why objects like security yards signs can be effective, in addition to well-positioned security cameras with clear LED lights. If worse comes to worst, the best deterrent is an automatic light or siren that makes it clear a security system is active.
What do burglars hate the most to see at a home?
Burglars hate anything that isn’t quick and easy. So they don’t like things like gateways, locks, bright lights or any technology that can watch them. Very few burglars try to use technology to steal or block security. They just move on to easier targets. That’s also why targets are often someone they know or homes they can already access.
Considering buying home security cameras? Check out our coverage of the best security devices on the market, including the best cheap security cameras, the best indoor and outdoor security cameras, the best wireless security cameras, the best video doorbell cameras and much more.
